The Difference Between OECD & AOSCA Certified Hemp Seed
International Hemp is the exclusive licensor of two industrial hemp varieties of continental European origin bred by the Institute of Natural Fibers and Medicinal Plants in Poznan, Poland. Through this international partnership, we import, propagate, and manage all aspects of seed production to provide U.S. farmers with the highest quality, competitively-priced, high-yielding, AOSCA and OECD certified industrial hemp seed in North America. But what is the difference between OECD and AOSCA?
OECD stands for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. AOSCA stands for the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies. International Hemp distributes certified industrial hemp seed that was produced both in Europe and in the United States. Hemp seed that is produced in Europe is certified by OECD. Hemp seed that is produced in the U.S. is certified by AOSCA.
The OECD Seed Certification Schemes is an international regulatory framework for the varietal certification of agricultural seed. Sixty-one countries follow the rules of the OECD Seed Schemes. These standards are critical for the international trade of agricultural planting seed.
The goal of the OECD Seed Schemes is to promote the global use of consistent, high-quality certified agriculture seed. OECD certified agricultural and vegetable species fall under the categories of:
Industrial hemp falls under the crucifers and other oil or fiber species category. The OECD seed schemes define the standards developed by seed certification specialists in cooperation with other international seed-related organizations, such as FAO, ISF, ISTA, and UPOV.
In North America, varietal certification is done by AOSCA, a crop improvement trade organization that develops and promotes certified seed varieties for use in commercial agriculture, through various State-level vested member agencies. While there are AOSCA-member seed certifying agencies across the U.S., there are also member agencies in Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Like OECD, AOSCA certification ensures varietal purity and performance for many crops, including wheat, alfalfa, sunflower, dry beans and soybeans, and most recently hemp.
Henola and Bialobrzeksie were bred in Poland and are both registered and recognized varieties on the OECD Seed Schemes. Additionally, both varieties have approved for AOSCA certification by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The official list of AOSCA approved varieties can be found here. If you have any questions about certified hemp seed or want to learn more about our certified hemp varieties, reach out to us at 833-937-4367 or info@international-hemp.com.